Abstract
In the study presented, we investigated whether Lyme arthritis is associated with a particular Borrelia burgdorferi genospecies. Using the PCR technique, in 7/11 samples of synovial fluid of patients with Lyme arthritis a part of the ospA-gene was identified and the strains characterized by sequencing of the amplified DNA. Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto was found in 3 patients, B. garinii in 3, and B. afzelii in 1 patient. In conclusion, Lyme arthritis is caused by all 3 human pathogenetic genospecies which are actually known. For clinical practice PCR proved to be a rather insensitive diagnostic method, but may confirm the diagnosis of Lyme arthritis in doubtful cases.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Adolescent
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Adult
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Aged
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Antigens, Surface / genetics
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Antigens, Surface / immunology*
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Arthritis, Infectious / microbiology*
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Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins / genetics
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Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins / immunology*
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Bacterial Vaccines
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Borrelia burgdorferi Group* / classification
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Borrelia burgdorferi Group* / genetics
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Borrelia burgdorferi Group* / isolation & purification
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Child
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DNA, Bacterial / analysis
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Female
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Humans
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Lipoproteins*
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Lyme Disease / microbiology*
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Male
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Middle Aged
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Polymerase Chain Reaction
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Species Specificity
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Synovial Fluid / microbiology
Substances
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Antigens, Surface
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Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins
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Bacterial Vaccines
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DNA, Bacterial
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Lipoproteins
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OspA protein